Volcanic Eruption Disrupts Flights in New Zealand

A volcanic eruption on New Zealand's White Island has led to the cancellation of several flights on Thursday, as experts warn that the eruption could continue for "weeks or months."

The volcano, located off the northern coast about 200 kilometers from Auckland, has a history of dangerous activity, including a deadly eruption in 2019 that claimed 22 lives.

Air New Zealand, the national airline, reported that 10 flights were canceled due to volcanic ash drifting into the flight paths of some local airports.

The airline confirmed that flights resumed after the ash cleared from the surrounding airspace.

Satellite images revealed "minor volcanic activity" that began earlier this month, according to the GNS Science Research Institute.

Scientists believe this activity is part of the "typical eruption cycles" documented on White Island, also known as Whakaari by the indigenous Māori people.

They anticipate that the eruption could persist for an extended period, potentially lasting from weeks to several months.

Residents on New Zealand's main islands may experience mild effects from the eruption, such as the smell of volcanic gases or minor irritation to their eyes and throats, though the overall impact is expected to be minimal.

New Zealand raised its volcanic alert level to three earlier this month, on a scale of five. Since the catastrophic eruption in 2019, tourism on White Island has been strictly prohibited.